Falcons move on from LB Troy Andersen, drafted in 2022’s second round

The Atlanta Falcons have released linebacker Troy Andersen, moving on from a defender they selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The announcement, made Friday morning, caps a brief Falcons tenure that began with early promise and quickly shifted into a cycle of limited availability, as injuries repeatedly disrupted his season-to-season progress.

Andersen arrived in Atlanta with a distinctive college résumé shaped by position flexibility. At Montana State, he played roles including linebacker, running back and quarterback, and the Falcons used a second-round pick on the prospect. In his rookie season, Andersen appeared in every game, establishing himself as an option on defense as well as a player with the kind of football background that can translate into special packages.

But his NFL run has been marked by health setbacks. In 2023, Andersen managed only two games, with the Falcons’ reported timeline tying his absence to shoulder and pectoral injuries. The pattern continued, as a knee injury later became the reason for longer downtime, and the report indicates it ultimately kept him out for all of the 2025 season as well.

The release matters because it indicates that the Falcons are closing the chapter on a player they drafted for defensive impact and developmental upside. Roster decisions like this often reflect more than a single season. Even when teams like the player’s tape and traits, sustained unavailability can shrink the window for a player to contribute consistently, and it also reduces the opportunity for coaches to build certainty around his role.

From a team-building standpoint, Atlanta now opens a roster spot and creates additional flexibility in training camp and the regular-season preparation timeline. Andersen’s departure changes the internal depth chart picture at linebacker, particularly for teams seeking dependable snaps from players who can practice, move up the depth ladder, and stay available across the long grind of a season.

For Andersen, the release creates a new set of options. A player with his early rookie participation still has meaningful film that preceded the injuries, and teams evaluating free agents will typically focus on recovery status, day-to-day practice readiness, and whether the physical limitations that kept him out can be managed through the rigors of an NFL season.

What to watch next is whether Andersen finds an immediate landing spot and, if so, what role he’s given. A common pathway for players returning from extended absences is a depth-and-health evaluation period, where opportunities may begin in limited capacities. For the Falcons, the bigger watch is how they fill the linebacker rotation and whether this move coincides with a broader emphasis on more available defenders during roster construction.